Dear Common Dreams Readers: Common Dreams is a small non-profit that exists only because of the support of our readers. No advertising; no paywalls: our content is free. But our costs are real. A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy. Independent journalism and democracy itself have never been more fragile, more at risk than now. Without your support, we will not exist. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future?Every donation makes a difference.

Europeans Pushing Back Against Austerity

Europeans Pushing Back Against Austerity

Europeans are pushing back against government-imposed austerity measures, with protests growing and unions issuing general strikes.

Today in Ireland thousands are protesting a new household tax seen as an "outrageous attack on the poor." On Friday Spain passed its "most austere" budget ever, which had prompted a general strike bringing massive numbers of workers and students to the streets. Greece has seen continued protests over what are seen by Greeks as "barbaric" cuts, while Portugal has held two anti-austerity general strikes in the last several months.

With unemployment rates in the EU at their highest point in the last 15 years, people foresee more misery in sight as austerity measures being imposed by governments has left social safety nets in tatters.

The most recent unemployment figures from Eurostat (pdf), the statistical office of the European Union, show eurozone unemployment at 10.8%, with the highest rates in Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Ireland.

The introduction of the household tax, as part of the EU/IMF deal, has triggered a protest campaign led by community and political activists, who are calling for a boycott. They seem to have struck a nerve. Thousands of people took part in what seems to have been an unsually angry demonstration on Saturday in Dublin, waving banners bearing the slogans "Can't Pay, Won't Pay" and "When The Bankers Pay, We'll Pay!".

Opponents of the tax say it is regressive because the rich pay the same as the poor. The public's indignation is being fueled by the common perception in Ireland that a corrupt super-rich elite — bankers, politicians and property developers — destroyed the economy, yet have largely gone unpunished.

Government threats to withdraw public services where the household charge is not paid are an "outrageous" attack on the poor, it has been claimed. [...]

“If they go along these lines they will be encouraging massive social dislocation and further social inequality. It will simply not be permissible,” said [Socialist TD] Mr Higgins. “There will be an outcry, an upheaval against that. It will be outrageous.”

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan hinted over the weekend that he would reward authorities that pulled out all the stops to collect outstanding registration payments. Mr Higgins said poor areas would suffer further as a result.

“The wealthiest areas in the country will get more resources than they have already, while the poorest will continue to go without. It’s irresponsible,” he said. "This would cause a further gap in the massive inequality that already exists. It would be socially destructive.”

From Athens, Helena Smith reports that party leaders have hit the campaign trail, giving interviews about their future plans:

[...] Although [Greek Prime Minister] Papademos last week insisted that a "silent majority" of Greeks want change, and certainly want to stay in the euro zone [as also borne out by polls] opposition to belt-tightening policies that are widely perceived as unfair, and given Greece's contracting economy increasingly counter-productive, is never far away either.

Analysts expect street protests to re-erupt after the elections with trade unionists already speaking of June (when more measures are expected to be unveiled) as a "very hot month."

Spain has unveiled its most austere budget in democratic history today in the wake of massive protests.

The government's budget calls for cuts of 27 billion euros ($35 billion). It cuts central government spending by almost 17% and freezes civil servant wages while requiring them to work an additional 10 hours per month. Another cut hitting households is an 7%-increase in domestic electric prices and 5%-increase on gas.

Today in Portugal public services and transportation came to a halt, as unions enacted a 24-hour general strike for the second time in two months. The metros in Portugal's largest cities have closed as well as major ports. The strike was called in reaction to austerity measures agreed upon by the government in return for a European bailout.

Demonstrations and rallies are planned for the afternoon in 38 cities and towns across the country.

Today's events preclude similar strikes in both Italy and Spain among countries facing European austerity.

Further

In the vile wake of Charlottesville - those sweaty young white men, pasty faces contorted, screaming, "Blood and Soil!" "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" "Fuck You Faggots!" - what to say? Just this: This is racism, domestic terrorism, pure hate. This is not who we are, and this is not ok. Most vital, those "whose pigmentation matches theirs" must speak "with unflinching clarity (or) we simply amen it... They need white faces speaking directly into their white faces, loudly on behalf of love."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

X

Your Support Makes A Difference: Over 90% of the Common Dreams budget comes from reader support. We rely on you. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future? We can't do it without you.